Yemen (اليَمَن)

Desert highrise of Wadi Hadramawt, Yemen
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shibam_Wadi_Hadhramaut_Yemen.jpg
Jialiang Gao


Yemen (اليَمَن) is a country on the southern part of the Arabian peninsula in the Middle East. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north and Oman to the east. Its coastline faces the Red Sea to the west and the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea to the south.

Yemen covers 555,000 sq km (203,849 sq mi). It has a population of 23.7 million people (2011 estimate). The capital and largest city is Sana'a. The official currency of Yemen is the Yemeni rial (YER). The country is three hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. Traffic is driven on the right here. The electricity is 220V/50Hz using UK plug. The phone IDD code is +967.

Major Cities in Yemen

Places of Interest in Yemen

World Heritage Sites in Yemen

Dragon blood trees on Socotra Island, Yemen
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Yemen#mediaviewer/File:Dragon%27s_Blood_Trees,_Socotra_Is,_Yemen_(14701715903).jpg
Rod Waddington


Yemen is the poorest country on the Arabian peninsula. Its estimated nominal GDP of 2009 was $25.131 billion, which provided a per capita nominal GDP of only $1,061. Its per capita GDP at purchasing power parity stood at $2,457.

The name Yemen means "The South", in reference to its located on the peninsula. It is mostly desert. Its border with Saudi Arabia, which was only defined in 2000, runs through inhabited desert land.

Cityscape of Sana'a, Yemen
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sana%27a#mediaviewer/File:Sana.jpg
Ferdinand Reus


As with its neighbors, Yemen was under the Ottoman Empire until 1918, when it declared independence. Between 1962 and 1990, the country was split between North Yemen and South Yemen. In 2011, the Tunisian Revolution and Egyptian Revolution had an influence on Yemen, resulting in mass demonstrations in its major cities. This escalted into calls for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to resign.

Planning your trip to Yemen

Due to political instability, casual visitors are discouraged from visiting Yemen until the situation improves. If you are already in the country, stay away from any form of political demonstrations and remain indoors when there are unrests.

Due to the volatile politicial situation in Yemen, you should get in touch with its embassy to find out about the relevant travel documents required for your trip. Visa upon arrival is no longer available since 2010, and citizens of most countries are expected to have a visa in hand when arriving.

The international airport in Sana'a is served by flights from Cairo, Doha, Dubai and Frankfurt, among others.

Carlenia Beach, to the south of Qusayr City, Yemen
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Red_Sea#mediaviewer/File:Carnelia_Beach,_Marsa_Alam_(2232052889).jpg
Andrew A. Shenouda